A NEW SYSTEM 



OR 



lectric Clocks 



■0= 




Its Principles and " Advantages " 



BY 

LOUIS H. SPELLIER 

PHILADELPHIA 



A NEW SYSTEM 



OF 



Electric Clocks 




r 



1 



ti 



j 



i 



Its Principles andi/ Advantages 






BY 




LOUIS H. SPELLIER 

PHILADELPHIA. 






Copyright, 1886 
by Louis H. Spellier 



££ - \<tybla 



Preface. 



A few years ago, when my fundamentally new system of 
Time Telegraphs, new both in device and action, was first 
made known through the Journal of the Franklin Institute ; 
and the various publications devoted to electrical subjects, 
especially those of Europe, universally opened their columns 
for its favorable consideration, I resolved to devote my time 
and labor to a further development and perfection of such 
arrangement in Time Telegraphy as had been heretofore 
either defective in device or too intricate in mechanical 
construction, and therefore not easily maintainable by any 
except a thoroughly schooled attendant. 

This determination found still more encouragement 
when the unanimous vote of the Committee on Science and 
Arts, of the Franklin Institute, recommended the granting 
of the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal to me as " a warm appro- 
val and commendation for this very ingenious invention." 
And when the Board of Managers of that Institution granted 
to me this honor, I even felt it to be my duty to vindicate 
their generous action by further endeavoring to develop old 
or supply new means for the removal of well-known defects 
in the electric time service. 

My electro-magnetic escapement disposed completely of 
the violent action of the armature and its serious consequences 
to the mechanism of electric clocks. Any modification of 
their device could only have for its object the construction of 
the mechanical details to the best advantage. Any experi- 
ments in this direction were therefore of a secondary consi- 
deration only. 



But Time Telegraphy had weak points of a still graver 
character outside of those confined to the electric time indi- 
cators only. 

It is the transmission of the electric energy by the stand- 
ard clock to the electric dials that has offered rather perplex- 
ing difficulties. 

The problem here to be solved is of a double 
kind. It is to avoid the spark of the induced current 
and its evil consequences on one hand, and on the other to 
make a firm and secure contact for the passage of the electric 
current by the standard clock, without resorting to any of the 
additional intricate mechanical attachments to the regulators 
selected for this purpose in other known systems. 

The well-known phenomena of the spark produced by 
an induced current on the contact surfaces of the contact- 
maker at the breaking of the circuit, and its ultimate 
result of either oxidizing or entirely destroying this 
contact surface, was my next object of attention. This 
always has been one of the serious evils with which the 
successful introduction of Time Telegraphy had to contend. 
I have succeeded in devising a very simple arrangement 
which effectively meets the necessities of the case. The 
many republications and favorable comments by professional 
journals at home and abroad, assured me of the lull appreci- 
ation it received at the hands of high authorities of the elec- 
trical profession.* 

Of course I do not claim to have conceived the first 
fundamental idea of such a contrivance. But the peculiar 
manner in which I accomplished the object is fundamentally 
new and makes it applicable especially for the use of electric 
clocks. 

To find a method to make the powers ordinarily ex- 
pended by the escapement wheel of the standard clock suffi- 
cient to occasion a firm electrical contact, became the object 
of a long series of fruitless experiments. 

*The " Electrical World," of New York (1883). received its information on this invention 
from " Lumiere Electrique," of Paris. "The World," not knowing the source of the French 
Journal, stated the invention to be by " Mr. Spellier, of France." 



As often occurs in such cases, a new idea quite dissimi- 
lar in conception to the preceding unsatisfactory experi- 
ments presented itself, and gave me the means to accomplish 
in less than one day what during many months of unabated 
labor I had vainly striven to realize. 

This invention (Pat., Nov. 17, 1885) I believe, will 
greatly simplify Time Telegraphy by making any regulator 
efficient for electric time distribution. 

Of late, Time Telegraphy has been conspicuously pressed 
into the foreground in America, and many a u new S} 7 stem," 
and its early introduction, has been spoken of. In view of 
this, my tardiness in making any stringent efforts to person- 
ally introduce my system more generally before this time, 
has been made a matter of reproach to me by many of my 
well-meaning' friends and patrons. But the following state- 
ments I think will explain and fully justify my tardy progress 
in that direction. 

It is true the time it has taken me to invent and com- 
plete the necessary mechanical arrangements extends over a 
long period, but other circumstances also prevented me from 
prosecuting this work uninterruptedly. It is a well-known 
fact that the inventor is often rich in tokens of high apprecia- 
tion, in medals, indorsements and other honorable distinc- 
tions, but also, as a rule, is not sufficiently endowed with 
means to give to his as yet undeveloped schemes the most 
practical form. This frequently obliges him to seek mate- 
rial aid from the often selfish and unscrupulous "promoter" 
whose life's maxim — " cheat him, for he is an inventor" — too 
often makes such men the real owner of the invention before 
its completion. To prevent such an occurrence has been 
another reason for my slow progress. What I have now to 
offer is a new system of Time Telegraphy, with several inven- 
tions, fundamentally new, consisting of simple and efficient ar- 
rangements, which are protected by carefully prepared pat- 
ents against infringements of any kind. Since they possess, 
also, recognized advantages that are peculiar to them only, 
they offer a promising field to enterprising capitalists and 
energetic business talent that must readily command attention. 



My inventions in the field of Electric Pendulum Clocks, 
I have, for the present, excluded from this pamphlet. I in- 
tend, however, to prepare a description of them for the next 
edition. Those interested in the subject, I refer to the 
different publications mentioned below.* 

The various forms of my secondary electric clocks 

for special purposes, I also had to omit for the present, and 

confine myself to the general principles of my system 

only. 

L. H. S. 



*La Lumiere Electrique, Paris, Vol. 7, 523. 

Journal of the Franklin Institute, August, 1882. 

The Telegraphic and Electrical Review, London, Sept., 16, 1882 

Dingl. Polytechn. Journ., Augsburg, 1882. 

A. Merling, Die Elektrischen Uhren, 1884, pages 67, 83, 87 1093. 



Tine New System of 

1 ime 1 elegraphy, 



Time Telegraph}' has for its ohject the distribution of 
time to different localities through the medium of electricity. 
The chief factors of Time Telegraphy are : a well-regulated 
and reliable time piece, properly called the main or primary 
clock, also a standard clock, a voltaic battery, the electric 
time indicators or secondary electric clocks, the electric con- 
tact-maker, to operate the secondary dials, and the line wires, 
which connect electrically the parts named for proper action 
into a complete system. 

The secondary electric clock, the electric contact-maker, 
and the manner in which the latter is operated by the main 
clock, are those parts of Time Telegraphy that have been in 
need of essential improvements, while on the other hand the 
regulator (main clock) has for years reached such a degree 
of perfection that skill, ingenuity or scientific attainments 
can add but little to its efficiency. 

The secondary electric clock(also called Time Telegraph) 
was invented almost simultaneously by Steinheil, Wheatstone 
and Bain more than forty years ago, and has received in 
Europe for many years a favorable consideration at the hands 
of prominent inventors and a practical application in public 
service. In America the general interest taken in electric 
clocks is of very recent date, and therefore the knowledge 
and experience on the subject has not taken the definite 
form we find it to have with the practical electricians of 
Europe. 



6 



Before we take up for consideration my own inventions 
in Time Telegraphy I will illustrate the common principle 
which characterizes the Time Telegraphs generally in use, and 
thereby make more comprehensible the defects they have all 
in common, and to avoid which is the purpose of my invention. 

They all depend upon the action of one armature, which 
either is moved by the attraction of both poles of the electro- 
magnet, or, as in the Stohner system, alternately attracted 
or repelled from one to the other pole, in which case the 
armature is a polarized one. I do not know of any instance 
where the latter system, which is in Europe the most com- 
mon, has been made use of in America; while the former 
method, the oldest of the two, has been the leading guide to 




Fig. i. 

American constructors. Fig. 1 illustrates the general prin- 
ciple of them. It embraces the main features of one of the 
oldest kind of secondary electric clocks, that of Wheatstone, 
and is in its present rather modified form patented in the 
United States. 



The electro-magnet M attracts the armature A. The 
latter is fastened to its shaft, and moves at a. Fastened to 
the armature in a right angle is the Graham anchor G, the 
pallets p p of this anchor lit into the teeth of the escape- 
ment wheel E. 

When the electric current passes through the coil of the 
electro-magnet, this armature is attracted, and, as represen- 
ted in the drawing, the pallet p on the rght side is pressed 
into the space between two teeth of the escapement wheel. 
As soon as the electric current is interrupted, aud the arma- 
ture attracted no longer, the spring S removes the armature 
from the poles of the magnet, and with it moves the anchor 
G to the right, which then brings the pallet p on the left 
side of the anchor into the space between two teeth of the 
escapement wheel, and while doing so, it moves the wheel 
one tooth in the direction desired, which is determined by 
relative position of the pallets to the escapement wheel. 
This movement then causes in an appropriate manner the 
movements of the hands in front of a clock-dial connected 
with the arrangement. 

Of course, in mechanical armwgement y the Time Telegraphs 
generally in use are widely differing ; the leading feature, 
however, the action of the armature, and the transmission of 
its movements to the mechanism of the clock-train, have an 
established similarity, the repetition of which is easily trace- 
able in all of them. 

The device here presented was merely chosen as one 
most illustrative of the types commonly in use. It shows, 
in my opinion, the analogy between the many one- armature 
Time Telegraphs very clearly. 

Experience has shown that this similarity of their 
mechanical arrangement, causes also a similarity of the de- 
fects of each of them, one especially was keenly felt, the 
more the demand for electric clocks grew. We all are 
familiar with the loud and sharp clattering the Morse tele- 
graph produces when in action. Since the armature of these 
Time Telegraphs act in a like manner, the same noise ac- 



8 

companies its movements, only in a higher degree, since the 
work it has to perform requires a greater degree of force. 
This noise, however, might not overtax our patience, and 
might impress us as something not unusual if once acquainted 
with it, and not repeated any oftener than at intervals of one 
minute,, hut if repeated every second such clocks simply 
become in dwellings, offices, or other quiet places, intolera- 
ble. But that is not the only nor most serious objection. 

The movement of the armature is not one of a gradual 
action, but is an instantaneous one. With great rapidity it 
flies towards the poles of the electro-magnet, and is sud- 
denly checked in its progress when in close proximity to the 
poles. Only a small space is allowed to prevent it from actual 
contact with the poles, and therefore the magnetic attraction is 
nearly the greatest attainable. Clock-work must, to a cer- 
tain degree, necessarily be delicate to move easily, and there- 
fore, the violent blows resulting from this instantaneous 
check, or the thrust-like action by which the movement of 
the escapement wheel is caused, will inevitably become de- 
structive to the mechanism. That this is the case in a high 
degree with electric dials that are actuated every second, any 
observer may have occasion to take notice of at various 
depots of the Pennsylvania Railroad, where such dials have 
been rather too frequently covered with paper, to hide them 
from view on account of some derangement resulting as I 
contend from this very evil. Nor will this result be surpris- 
ing to any one taking the pains to listen to the beat of such 
a clock. Its clattering action reminds one more of a busy 
blacksmith shop, than of the tick we are accustomed to asso- 
ciate with the mechanical clock commonly in use. That 
electric dials actuated every minute only are less subject to 
the above-mentioned defect, is self evident, but of course 
the same result will become apparent in the course of time 
nevertheless. 

It is but natural that the attention of many inventors 
was engaged in attempts to abrogate such defects. Houdin, 
Wilde, Callaud and others attempted to devise contrivances 
for the correction of this defect. But all that can be fairly 



9 



said about their arrangements is that they made the origi- 
nally simple inventions more complicated and less sensitive 
in their action without attaining at all satisfactory results. 
Since the root of the evil is founded in the general principle 
of those electric dials, the evil could only be eradicated by the 
invention of an entirely new device, and such is the inven- 
tion of my Electro-Magnetic Escapement. 

It is free from the defects demonstrated above, and not 
only solved the problem completely, but certainly also in a 
very " simple and ingenious manner." 




T-rr' 

iH 


i — , — i » 


! ! 1 



1 

|MJ 







Fig. 2. 
Circuit Closed. 



Fig. 3- 
Circuit Open. 



Patented May 30th, 1882. 

Figures 2 and 3 are a diagram showing the principle this 
invention involves. 

A is an iron wheel divided into six equal segments, 
each segment representing an armature. B is the escape- 
ment wheel. It has inclined teeth, corresponding in num- 
ber to the armatures of the wheel B. Both wheels are rigid 
to one shaft. L is a weighted lever, which presses by means 
of a little roller P into the teeth of the escapement wheel B. 
The electro-magnet M will attract the armature as soon as 
the electric current, passing through the coil, is closed. 
This armature will take its position right over the pole of 
magnet, as represented in Figure 2. When in this position 



10 

the lever L is raised, and presses the roller P against the 
upper part of a tooth of the escapement Avheel B. As soon 
as the circuit is broken the weight of the lever will move 
both wheels in the direction indicated by the arrow, and 
put them into the position shown in Figure 3. 

The armature 1 is now removed from the pole of the 
magnet, while the armature 2 has closely approached it. 
When the circuit is closed again, this armature will be at- 
tracted, and the roller P will raise the lever and pass over 
the apex of the next tooth of the escapement wheel, and there 
it will remain until the circuit is broken again, when the 
same action already described will be repeated. A spring 
may be substituted for the weight of the lever, which will 
allow this escapement to act in any position. 

It will be seen, that by this arrangement not the slightest 
blow is imparted either to the armature or escapement wheel, 
for there is no impact; nor is the armature submitted to that 
objectionable, instantaneous check when arrived at its halting- 
place, for it will describe over the pole, before coming to a 
complete standstill, a few short but rather decided vibra- 
tions. 

How remarkably silent inaction clocks provided with 
an escapement can be made to go, was shown at the Electri- 
cal Exhibition in Philadelphia, where a seconds-beating 
clock with a large second hand was exhibited. ~No sound 
was perceptible, even when the ear was pressed against the 
frame containing the clockwork. One of the most noticeable 
points of this escapement is, that it utilizes the very power, 
which in other systems not only is wasted, but also produces 
their most objectional feature. I mean the power deposited 
in the armature when instantly checked. The pressing lever 
becomes the recipient of this power. While rising it pre- 
vents the armature from a too-rapid flight toward the magnetic 
pole, and has stored up sufficient power, when the roller has 
passed over the apex of a tooth, to move the armature at the 
breaking of the circuit twice the distance caused by the at- 
tracting magnet. A glance at the diagram will show, that 
the two sides of the teeth of the escapement wheel are differ- 



11 

eut in inclination, and therefore of uneven length. The 
shortest side, which occupies but one-third of the space 
given to each tooth, is the one that raises the lever, 
while the armature moves toward the pole, while the longer 
side, which occupies the remaining two-thirds of the space, 
is on the other hand moved by the lever. The distance of 
the latter movement is therefore just twice that caused by 
the magnetic force. That this movement is the result of 
power stored up in the lever, is self-evident. A rather con- 
vincing experiment, also shown at the Electrical Exhibition, 
demonstrated this view in the most practical way, by show- 
ing that one Laclanche cell may be sufficient to move three 
electric dials. 

^ot less noteworthy is the promptness with which this 
escapement responds to the action of the electric current. 
An official test made at the Electrical Exhibition, showed 
that the closing of the battery for but one-tenth of a second, 
was fully sufficient for a secure action. 

In Figures 4 and 5 we see a complete mechanism of my 
Time Telegraph in its latest form. It represents one of 
those that are actuated but once every minute. Most of its 
parts will be understood without explanation. The magnetic 
poles are placed in a position directly opposite to each other, 
and the armature wheel between. The advantage of this 
is easily understood. The armature Avheel will be attracted 
in two directly opposite directions, and relieve its bearings of 
all pressure or wear. It will permit the armature wheel to 
come into close proximity to the magnetic poles, without 
having eventually to fear an actual contact. The distance, 
therefore, need not exceed that of the thickness of strong- 
paper, which assures a very effective disposition of the mag- 
netic force. The pressing lever, bearing against the escape- 
ment wheel from below, relieves its journals of a great por- 
tion of its own weight, and makes the wearing tendencies 
practically harmless. The wear on tic's mechanism must necessa- 
rily be so slight that even traces of it man not become perceptible for 
many years. The manner this clock may be set is rather pe- 
culiar. Although rigid to the shaft of the minute wheel, the 



12 




minute hand can be moved back or forward without injury 
to the mechanism. The hand will simply move the entire 
clock train either one way or the other, whereby the pulley 
will, in a cam-like action, glide up and down the teeth of 
the escapement wheel. By a simple device, means can be 



13 



provided for turning the clock hands without presenting an y 
obstruction to the movement of the escapement wheel, when 
the clock is set in the described manner. All that is needed 
is to lift the roller out of the teeth of the escapement wheel. 
Seconds-beating clocks of this kind are always set best by 
the second hand, also either back or forward. The latter 
rather curious looking procedure was frequently performed 
by me at the Philadelphia Electrical Exhibition. I would 
deal a blow with a iinger to the second hand (to the spec 
tators seemingly not very gentle), which would send it 
whirling round in the opposite direction of its designed 
course, until, mostly under the influence of the electro-mag- 
net, it came to a stop, to follow again the direction of its 
natural course. 

Since the sudden check of the armature is obviated, the 
hands may be fastened to their respective wheels with 
sockets, as is the custom in ordinary clocks. The impetus 
given to the hands in other electric clocks makes them slide 
on their bearings, unless they are rigidly fastened to the 
wheels that carry them. Even the second hands in my 
clocks are fastened to the pivot of the escapement wheel by 
an ordinary socket, so that it can be put on or taken off with 
the same ease as can be done on any ordinary clock. 




Fig. 6. 



14 

Figures 6 and 7 show the application of my electro- 
magnetic escapement for public clocks. Both the armature 
wheel r 1 and escapement wheel r are rigidly fastened to 
the shaft W. The latter is provided with the screw S. A 
wheel r 2 is fastened to the upright shaft W 1, and forms 
with 8 an endless screw. It is easily seen that the shaft 
W 1 will be turned by the endless screw when the electro- 
magnetic escapement is actuated by a successive making and 
breaking of the current. The shaft W 1 connects with a 
dial-work of a clock to move the hands of a clock dial. 

The work this instrument does, compared to its size, is 
quite surprising. The diameter of the iron core of the 
electro-magnet is but 5-1.6 of an inch, and that of the arma- 
ture wheel r 1 only 3J inches, and yet it develops sufficient 
power with two Callaud cells to drive the clock-work of four 
dials of 27 inches in diameter. This certainly seems to be a 
very favorable result, and may at no very distant time prove 
of great value, as it shows that a good regulator, removed 
from the influences of the changes of the weather, can 
control the dial works of a large public clock through 
the electric current furnished by a comparatively small 
battery. 

That my electro-magnetic escapement is an invention 
peculiarly adapted for Time Telegraphs has become the un- 
divided opinion of all who had occasion to see it in opera- 
tion. Unique and simple as it is, it solves problems that 
proved to be perplexing in the construction of Time Tele- 
graphs, and doubtless meets a want long felt. It possesses 
qualities not found in other instruments designed for the 
same purpose, a fact which wasrecognized by the Committee 
on Science and Art of the Franklin Institute when it be- 
stowed the already-mentioned award upon me. 

We now will turn our attention to a matter which at 
first sight would seem to be the easiest of all operations in 
Time Telegraphy, while in fact it has proven to be its weakest 
point. It is the contact-maker for the electric circuit which 
has in many iustances caused the condemnation of secondary 
electric clocks, whose skillful execution and superior con- 



15 

struction should have entitled them to a more deserving 
consideration. The obstacles that make the transmission 
of the electrical energy to the secondary electric dials 
difficult or uncertain are mainly the effect of the spark of 
the induced current at the contact terminals of the contact- 
maker, and the mode of operating the contact-maker by 
the main clock, without' overtaxing its delicate mechanism 
for more power than is necessary for executing its ordinary 
functions. 

It is a well-known fact, that by the induced current, ex- 
cited in the coil of an electro-magnet, at the moment a galvanic 
current, that is passing through the coil, is broken, a spark 
is produced where the break of the circuit occurred. This 
spark it is, that has been really the most troublesome annoy- 
ance in Time Telegraphy. It either oxidized or even com- 
pletely destroyed the contact surfaces of the circuit-breaker, 
and in either case there results a failure of closing the cir- 
cuit of the voltaic battery and the stoppage of the secondary 
clocks. The means resorted to, to avoid this spark are vari- 
ous. Prof. Arzbero-er was the first who tried to close the 
end wires of the coil of the electro-magnet with a high re- 
sistance shunt, while others proposed a gradual interposition 
of a high resistance into the main circuit just before break- 
ing it, to weaken the electric current and thereby reduce its 
galvanic induction to a minimum. But while such methods 
will have the tendency to weaken and thereby diminish the 
spark of the induced current, it is also obvious, that the 
spark will not be avoided entirely; a fact which experience 
has fully demonstrated. The method of short-circuiting the 
voltaic battery just before the breaking takes place of the 
same in the main line and to keep this short circuit until the 
break in the main line is made, is the only reliable way to 
attain the desired result. The manner in which my inven- 
tion executes this operation is shown in a general way in 
Fig. 6. 

We will, for a brief explanation of the process, give a 
translation of a description published in "La Lumiere Klec- 
trique," of Paris. (No. 16, 1883.) 



16 

" Mr. Spellier has just constructed an arrangement for a 
current-breaker intended for electric clocks. 

" The annexed figure represents his device. E is the 
electro-magnet of an electric clock. H is a metallic wheel 
designed to produce the closings and breakings of the cur- 
rent. One of the poles of the battery is connected by the 
wire C with the spring L, which rubs constantly upon the 
axis d of the wheel. The other pole of the battery comes 
from the electro-magnet E, and is connected with a second 
spring II, which comes in contact with the three metallic 
pins p. . 

" When such contact is produced, the current is closed, 
and E can attract its armature. 

" What is now necessary is to avoid the spark produced 
by the extra current, since it will occasion a defective con- 
tact of the current-breaker. For this purpose, a second 
spring S, is placed a little above R, and is connected by the 
wire D with the returning conductor. 

"After one of the pins p has raised R, it comes in con- 
tact with S also, and then at the same time raises both 
springs. At this moment the current passes through the 
short circuit S D, and the electro-magnet E receives, on ac- 
count of its resistance, only a weak portion of the same. 
Since both springs are now for a moment in contact with p, 
the extra current takes its w r ay through C, D, S, R, E. 

"Here we have a device which can be advantageously employed 
in a certain number of instruments working by interrupted currents. 
By this arrangement will be avoided at the same time the variations 
produced by the extra current in the parts of the electric apparatus 
and also the destruction of the contact surfaces produced by the 
spark of the extra current." 

It is hardly necessary to add to this description, that the 
contact between the short circuit S and P must continue 
until the main circuit established between Rand P is broken, 
to prevent the electric current from again entering the main 
line, before the short circuit is broken. 



17 



Fig. 8 shows, of course the invention in its general 
principle ; we shall presently show this arrangement as es- 
pecially adapted for a contact-maker to actuate electric clock 
dials ; while doing so, we will at the same time make our- 
selves acquainted with my method of making directly 
by the escapement wheel or its arbor, a firm electrical con- 
tact. 




Fig. 8. 
Patented July 21, 1885. 

Heretofore the escapement wheel of any clock, when 
used for the making and breaking of an electric circuit to ac- 
tuate secondary electric dials, did not exercise any more 
force at the moment of this making and breaking of the cir- 
cuit occurred, than it did while serving its real purpose, 
namely, to give to the oscillating pendulum of the clock the 
impulses needed for the continuation of its movements. 

The power necessary for these impulses, is very slight, 
and cannot be executed sufficiently energetically to make a 
reliable contact for the passage of the electric current. But 
since such a contact must be a firm one to make it secure, a 
frequent failure of making a complete electric circuit is not 
an uncommon consequence. This result also has greatly in- 
terfered with the reliability of secondary electric clocks. 

To remedy this evil mainly two methods have been 
employed. One method is the use of a relay. In that 
case the escapement wheel of the regulator makes a 
very faint contact, sufficient for the passage of a weak 
electric current to operate the relay. This relay then 



18 



closes the main battery ot an electric current sufficiently 
strong to actuate the electric dials in the circuit. The other 
method, which was first executed by Paul Gamier, of Paris, 
and which, especially on extended lines, has found a more 
general adoption in Europe, is based upon the use of an 
extra clock-work, which is set in action and arrested 
again at fixed intervals by the main clock. This extra 
clock-work operates the contact-maker of the electric cir- 
cuit for the secondary dials, and is provided with ample 
power to effect a secure contact. 

If properly constructed and executed, this method has 
proved to be a very reliable one. Its main objection rests in 
the fact that it is rather complicated in construction, and too 
costly to be purchased where but a few electric dials are de- 
sired, and above all, an attendant of but little skill cannot be 
entrusted with the maintenance or repair of such an arrange- 
ment. This is a fact which may justly receive full consider- 
ation in many places where an experienced mechanician 




Fig. 9. 
Patented November 17, 1885. 



is not an hand. To meet this emergency is the object 
of the device shown in the diagram. It is intended to 
enable us to use in a simple and yet effective manner the 
escapement wheel, or its shaft, of the standard clock directly 



!9 

for the making of a firm electrical contact. But since, as 

o - 

stated, under ordinary circumstances the escapement wheel 
has not sufficient force to accomplish this work, I have en- 
deavored to invent a mechanism by which the escapement 
wheel, during the time the electric contact is made, receives 
an additional amount of power for the operation of the 
contact-maker. The reader will have no difficulty to recog- 
nize in this contact-maker the same principle that charac- 
terizes the " Sparkless Circuit-Breaker" already described. 
Parts of the same functions are marked with the same 
letters. 

Figure 9 shows the arrangement. Its action will be 
readily understood. 

The escapement wheel W moves in the direction of the 
arrow. Besides the contact arm H its shaft carries, also 
rigidly fastened to it, the cam A. The pin of the arm H is 
now in contact with the projection of the spring S, for the 
purpose of completing the electric circuit At this time an 
increase of the power exercised by the escapement wheel is 
needed, to overcome the obstruction offered by the tension 
of the contact springs. To arrive at this result is the pur- 
pose of the cam A and the weighted lever B, which is press- 
ing against the curve of the cam by a little roller r. It will 
be observed that just now the roller of the lever presses 
against the incline i of the cam. Thereby it imparts addi- 
tional power to the shaft of the escapement wheel by its 
pressure, and assists to overcome the obstruction offered by 
the contact springs. The moment the contact pin has passed 
the projections of both contact springs, the roller r of the 
weighted lever reaches the lower part of the cam. It is 
gradually raised again as the escapement wheel revolves, 
and will repeat the same operation at the next contact be- 
tween the pin of the contact arm and the projections of the 
springs. It is hardly necessary to mention that the whole 
mode of operation is but a gradual storing-up of a portion of 
the power expended by the escapement wheel during the 
course of its revolution, which is returned to the same at 
the proper moment for the purpose demonstrated. 



20 

It is obvious that the relative conditions between the 
weight of the lever L and the tension of the contact springs 
can be easily so adjusted that when the shaft of the escape- 
ment wheel is impelled with increased force this increase is 
exactly absorbed by the tension of the contact springs, leav- 
ing for the functions of the escapement wheel only so much 
force as properly belongs to it. 

All regulators that were provided with this contact- 
maker needed but a slight additional weight (in some in- 
stances even this was not needed). In no case were the 
time-keeping qualities affected to any perceptible degree. 

In conclusion, I may mention that the diagram also 
shows the three principal features of my system of Time 
Telegraphy systematically connected. 



21 



Abstract from the Report of the Committee on Science 
and Art of the Franklin Institute. 

" The principal object we think worthy of special commenda- 
tion, is this very ingenious escapement, which entirely avoids 
any sudden jar (for there is no impact), and works smoothly, 
and noiselessly, and practically, with the least possible fric- 
tion. 

" Believing that the time is not far distant v)hen it will be neces- 
sary to transmit time from a standard clock to different points in 
a large city, or in hotels, factories and dwelling houses, there are no 
means by which it can be done as cheaply, quickly and accurately as 
by Electricity, and. there is no device that promises to do it so well, 
that we hare yet seen, as Spellier's Electro-Magnetic Time 
Telegraph. As we think Spellier's invention such a great step in 
advance that it merits the warm approval and commendation 
of the Franklin Institute, we recommend that he be 
awarded the elliot cresson gold medal." 





The above report was unanimously adopted at the second 
reading by the Committee on Science and the Arts, and, on 
their recommendation, the Board of Managers awarded the 
medal. 

The Elliott Cresson Gold Medal was intrusted, by the 
provisions of Elliott Cresson'e will, to the Franklin Institute, 
in the year 1848. Since its foundation, this is the eighth 
medal awarded. 



22 



Philadelphia, October 23, 1885. 

To the Board of Managers : 

Novelties Exhibition of the Franklin Institute. 

The undersigned, judges of class 16, b, have examined 
Exhibit No. 263, Louis H. Spellier. 

The ten Electric Clocks in different parts of the Exhibi- 
tion Building, are furnished with the Sparkless Current- 
Breaker, and are all worked from one clock. 

A description of the clocks, with the improvements, 
will be found in the attached papers and drawings furnished 
by the exhibitor. 

We would declare the exhibit of Electric Clocks as 
being worthy of the award of the Silver Medal, and each of 
the following details, embraced in these clocks, as being 
worthy of a Certificate of Honorable Mention : — 

1. The Sparkless Current-breaker. 

2. The Electric Pendulum. 

3. The Power Accumulator. 

And further, we would recommend to the consideration 
of the Committee on " Science and the Arts" as being worthy 
the award of the Scott's legacy Premium, the Electric 
Clock as a whole, embracing the aforesaid improvements, 
the Escapement of this clock having already received the 
award of the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal. 

Respectfully, 

GEORGE H. PERKINS, 

Chairman. 

JOSEPH ZENTMAYER, 
GLANVILLE FAUGHT, 
HENRY PEMBERTON. 



The "Scott Legacy Medal and Premium," was intrusted 
in 1816, to the City of Philadelphia, by John Scott, Chemist, 
of Edinburgh, and is by that city awarded to inventors 
upon the recommendation of the Franklin Institute only. 

The award consists of Twenty Dollars, with a medal 
bearing the inscription "To The Most Deserving." 



From " Mechanics," New York, March 17, 1883. 

" The Sparkless Current-Breaker b} 7 Mr. Spellier, which 
is illustrated in another column, will be found of great in- 
terest to those of our readers who had to build electrical ma- 
chinery where a contact-breaker for an electrical current was 
necessary. The late Dr. Bradley's very elaborate and perfect 
system of electric clocks, though not impracticable, was, for 
the want of a contact-breaker, both difficult and expensive to 
keep in order, and we presume the uncertainty of the doctor's 
final device, the wire brush, was one of the greatest difficulties 
which he found in the way of its introduction." 



Hall of the Franklin Institute, January 26, 1884. 

Mr. Spellier, Philadelphia. 
Dear Sir : — 

I have so expressed my favorable opinion of your Electric 
Clocks and Time Telegraphs in my journal, the " Manu- 
facturer and Builder" (December, 1882, April, 1883), that I 
cannot see that I can add anything to what I say in these 
articles. You are at liberty to make what use of them you 
may deem proper. 

Yours truly, 

WILLIAM H. WAHL, 
Editor " Manufacturer and Builder." 



24 

Prof. Van der Weyde, President of the Electrical So- 
ciety of New York, gave, after a careful study of this sj'stem 
at the Electrical Exhibition, the following testimonial : — 

" I have given considerable attention to various kinds of 
Electric Clocks, and by practical experience have obtained 
knowledge of the special merits of many of them, and I feel 
bound to declare that I consider the peculiar mode of escape- 
ment of Mr. Spellier, and his system of closing and breaking 
the circuit, superior to that of other Electric Clocks I am 
acquainted with, and I am confident that the meritorious 
qualities of his clocks will soon be universally acknowledged." 

International Exhibition Building, Philadelphia, Octo- 
ber 11, 1884. 

P. H. VAN DEP WEYDE, 

Member of the Board of Examiners. 



From the " Electrical World," New York, September 27, 1884. 

" Mr. Louis EL Spellier, of Philadelphia, has a space near 
the offices of the Exhibition management on the main floor, 
and a number of his clocks are distributed throughout the 
building. His system is highly ingenious, and although in- 
vented in this country, has certainly gained greater celebrity 
in Europe than it has here. Many of the standard European 
books on electrical appliances bestow warm praise on the 
Spellier system. We hope to bring, in a later issue, a de- 
tailed description of the Spellier system before our readers. 
In passing, we may note that two years ago it received from 
the Committee on Science and Arts of the Franklin Insti- 
tute, the Elliot Cresson gold medal, an award given but eight 
times in thirty-two years. One great feature of the system 
is that it avoids the blows produced by the sudden check 
offered to the armature when closely approaching the pole 
of the electro-magnet. This is, however, but one of its 
merits. The movement exposed to full view and working a 
large clock dial, is almost the first thing to catch the eye on 
entering the Exhibition from the doors at the lower end, or 
by the bridge connecting with the annex." 



